Yemeni leader in U.S. to get medical care

NEW YORK (AP) — The embattled president of Yemen arrived yesterday in the United States for medical treatment, according to a statement from the Arab country’s foreign press office.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh arrived at an unspecified location in the United States after a journey that took him from Oman, through London.

His staff has said he is in the United States to be treated for burns suffered during an assassination attempt in June.

The Yemeni statement said Saleh was in the United States for a “short-term private medical visit.”

After months of unrest, Saleh agreed in November to end his 33-year-rule of the Arabian state. His trip occurs as Yemen prepares for a Feb. 21 election to select his successor.

It is unclear how long he intends to remain in the United States. In a speech before he left Yemen for Oman a week ago, he promised to return home before the election, but the United States and its allies have pressured Saleh to leave Yemen for good.

American officials don’t wish for him to settle in the United States, however, over concerns that it would be seen as harboring an autocratic leader accused by many of his countrymen of using violence to remain in power. Foes have accused him of trying to interfere in Yemen’s new unity government, even after he supposedly relinquished authority two months ago. He spent three months previously in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, only to return to Yemen, prompting more protests.

Saleh’s travel plans in the United States have not been disclosed for security reasons.

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